Swords

Positive Energy	analytical, articulate, clever, dignified, ethical, honest, knowledgeable, logical, moral, objective, outspoken, rational, truthful, witty
Negative Tendencies	aloof, blunt, controlling, critical, detached, domineering, insensitive, intolerant, opinionated, patronizing, unaffectionate, unresponsive

	Ace of Swords One of the Ace cards - always a gift from God. The gray sky foretells of conflict, negativity and fogginess or unclarity of a situation. You may have to get to the heart of the matter or to get on with dealing with the situation. The sword in the hand of God depicts a crown and laurel wreath which is denoting winning and becoming the victor in your challenging or conflict situations. The little Yods (blessings from God) are found above the hand. All will be well and blessed by God. The yellow crown indicates mental activity in your handling of the situation; so think it through well. Also the green laurel wreath will bring prosperity and happiness. The mountains stretching across the card indicate goals and plans that are varied; you have some that are new beginnings and others that have ended after a struggle to reach your goal.
	Two of Swords The two of Swords is a fascinating card since it has many meanings. The blue sky is clear, however, we have a crescent moon looming in the background. Whenever a moon appears in a card, it denotes illusion/delusion and that perhaps you see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear! Although the woman is seated on a cement bench indicating strength and stability, and her feet seem to be planted firmly on the cement ground, all is in gray. there is a "fogginess" or unclear situation, which she must deal with. Her white dress indicates her trustworthiness and perhaps navete in the situation. She holds two Swords, which she assumes, will protect her, but with the self-imposed blindfold over her eyes, she is not sure what or who the problem is and cannot figure out how to protect herself properly. The blue waters behind her have many ripples in it indicating problems, sensitivity and emotional situations that affect her. The small islands or rocks are stumbling blocks to get to her goal of the mountains beyond them, which are shown, at the right of the card. She must take off her blindfold, hold the Swords appropriately to defend herself and get on with her life. She has to take some action. She is not seeing the situation clearly and perhaps doesn't even know that it is as bad as it is.
	Three of Swords The three of Swords looks more menacing than it is. You have clouds in the gray sky which indicates troubles, problems, growing concerns, things are going on that are unclear or unknown to you, and it is raining which indicates tears, crying, depression or emotional upsets. The heart, center of our emotional life, has three Swords through it. This can indicate problems and conflicts that will make you feel as if "you were stabbed in the heart." It may also indicate that this will be in three circumstances or three separate events. In my experience, it also can mean children hurting a parent in a way that only children can. Saying nasty things such as: "What have you ever done for me?" "I didn't ask to be born!" "I hate you, leave me alone." "I wish you were dead." Comments like these can injure a parent more than another type of confrontational situation. It will be healed. You will come to terms with the conflict or struggle which gives you this heavy heart or "pain in your heart."
	Four of Swords As with all the sword cards, each sword stands for a particular problem or issue. Here we have a man lying on a coffin in a church. He is all in yellow as well as lying on a yellow coffin which displays a sword on its side. There are three other problems/issues above him in front of the gray wall. The stained glass window with the words PAX to the top left indicate PEACE will be coming as soon as you decide your path. There is always hope and that we have true control over our destiny. The sword or problem below the man is his one major conflict. The other three Swords are shrouded in conflict, negativity, perhaps mistrust or are not seen clearly at this time. the one main issue has to be dealt with in a logical and analytical manner. You must think about this concern and try to figure out a good way of dealing with it. Once you've handled the most important issue in your life, the other problems will fall apart or not be as upsetting or major as you had thought.
	Five of Swords We first notice the streaking clouds in the blue sky. The clouds depict stress, trouble, problems, conflicts, disagreements, arguments, disharmony, friction and strife. So there is much going on and has gone on for you to get to this place. The water in the background has lines in it, ripples or troubles. All the figures are standing on cement which is very fortifying and strong, grounded and stable. However, the two figures in the background look as if they were defeated and are walking away from the situation. The man in the foreground dressed in green and red with gold boots has a smirk on his face. Obviously, he's won the battle. He has knocked two Swords out of his enemy's hands and now holds three Swords. He is confident and assured of his position as the victor. His green tunic represents his abundance and prosperity toward the situation, and the red shirt beneath the tunic represents his desire to get on with his life, handling all of his problems as easily as he has these challenges and although the gold grounds him on the cement, he is feeling as if he is something special at the moment since he's the winner.
	Six of Swords This card represents starting anew, getting on with your life, leaving your problems and concerns behind. You will notice immediately that the water on the lower right is wavy, rough and disturbing. That water represents the troubles and obstacles this person has/had to face and now they are in a boat, a cape covering their whole body to protect them from further harm. There is a child next to the seated figure and many times this represents a single mother with her children. Other times it represents the nurturing partner in a family protecting her youngsters or new ideas and new beginnings which are being brought with them. The man steering the boat in the left of the card is helping the person get to a new life, (new island) so they can start fresh leaving all the problems behind. this doesn't mean that you are without problems in your new life on the distant shore fore the sky is still gray past the land so things will have to take their course and you will have to work with your problems for a reasonable solution. You are taking your (Swords) problems with you, but you cannot handle them all at once. If you pulled them out together, the boat would sink quickly. Again, as with any other sword, they are intermingled and depend on each other to stand firmly. So, handle your most important concern first and the others will follow.
	Seven of Swords The first remarkable thing you would notice about this card is that it is mostly yellow. We have learned through this book that yellow represents the intellect, or an open mind. And power. It is the one clue that directs us to handle this situation cleverly and thoughtfully. This is not a time for emotional reactions or sentimentality. The background is abundant, yet rocky with small hills and dales scattering along the scenery. There are tents in the right of the card which could indicate a town, group of people, ethnic group or culmination of all your friends and family. The main character seems as if he is "sneaking" away with problems and obstacles. He seems very sure of himself and is also very happy that he handled the situation well. He is unaware that he left two Swords (problems) behind. He feels grounded by his beige tunic and has the desire for calmness, serenity and harmony by his blue tights, as well as a desire to put these troubles behind him as represented by his red boots and hat. The hat may also indicate that his desire has been on his mind for some time. He doesn't want others to know that he is handling the situation or helping out, but is quite pleased with himself for doing so.
	Eight of Swords We notice how dark and dreary this card is. Could it be that the Querent or person in the card is surrounded by uncertainty, cloudiness, confusion. There are many Swords surrounding the figure in this card. She is dressed in red so it would appear she has the desire to be out of this situation, but does not know how to get out of her troubles. In fact, she put herself right in the middle of the problems and is not standing on watery ground which represents sensitivity and emotional behavior and the ground is rocky and unleveled. She may fall in any direction she goes if not looking at the path ahead. Her eyes and heart are bound. She doesn't want to see the truth and is very afraid of letting herself love again or be in a position where she can be hurt. It has probably happened once too many times before. The castle is behind her to the right of the card which means it can be reached, but she has a few obstacles and journey ahead of her to reach her goal, but can do it with determination and with seeing reality.
	Nine of Swords This is an insomnia card. Is this person worrying a little too much about the obstacles, challenges and troubles over her head? The Swords are all intermingled with each other, so one builds on the other. The Swords, like all other sword cards, can be handled by attending to the most important issue, dealing with it and the others will soon fall apart. The black background indicates the feelings of helplessness and despair, negativity and conflict surrounding the figure. She sits up in bed not being able to sleep. She covers her face in despair. How will she handle all of these problems, she wonders? She is dressed in white, so she is very honest and pure and a bit too trusting, perhaps, and in the long run will be able to deal with her concerns in a most positive manner. When she discovers that only major decision has to be made, she will find that her life will be much more in her total control and manageable. She is covered with the blanket depicting the power of the universe at her disposal. The desire for her control of the situation is shown by the red roses in the blanket. Using her intelligence to be able to handle her problems is shown by the yellow in the covering as well as the blue indicating that through her spirituality or use of universal knowledge, she will overcome her obstacles.
	Ten of Swords When my daughter was approximately three and half years old and I was playing with these cards, she looked at this particular one and said, "Mommy, that looks like a Swiss cheese card." She was so right. This card indicates that you literally feel as if you were stabbed in the back on numerous occasions. You cannot get on with your life; you feel defeated and that everyone and everything was against you.
	Page of Swords Here we have a Page standing on a grassy mound in a position ready to defend himself. There are clouds in the sky behind him which indicate things are brewing behind his back and there are many birds in the sky denoting that there are also secrets going on behind him that he is unaware of. I also feel when there is a tree or little black lizard, cat, etc., that there are secrets going on around you, but perhaps you just don't have time to see them at the moment. The Page's tunic is in the purple family indicating spiritual changes and purification. Obviously, he feels he has something to defend or stand up for. Perhaps his integrity or honor has been challenged. His yellow tights and shirt show that he must use his intellect to handle this situation even though his desire to finish this dilemma or obligation is strong, he must use patience and caution in dealing with them.
	Knight of Swords This Knight is dressed in armor, so we know he is ready to fight. His sword is held upright and ready to strike whomever gets in his way. The horse is charging, however, has a questionable look on his face as he sees the Knight means business. He also has a red cape and feather in his helmet. His desire or intention is to set things right and get on with his life. He also is showing the assertiveness or aggression that red represents. He looks very determined to pursue his enemy. The clouds are streaking in the blue sky, so problems are looming overhead or around him. The black trees in the background indicate that there are definitely secrets or hidden elements that have contributed to this conflict. The gold earth mound to the left indicates that he is following through to conquer this problem, however, it will not be completed at this time without proper knowledge and thinking the situation over in a calm and unemotional manner.
	Queen of Swords The Queen of Swords is a very solid and stable card. Here we have a Queen sitting on a throne of cement, so no one will easily change her point of view. There are clouds brewing in the blue sky depicts some problem or conflict forming into being. The black bird in the sky and black trees to the left of the card show that there are things going on behind her back (secrets) that could harm her if she is not careful, or she might change her opinion if these facts were know. She is ready to fight as shown with her sword drawn and ready to use although she is carefully holding it on the throne's arm while her other hand is inviting friends, family and situations to present themselves to her. She is open, honest and giving as is suggested by her white dress and blue and white cape. The sculpture of a cherub or angel on the side of the throne indicates that she can get spiritual guidance if she requires it, so she is a fair Queen as well. The blue sky indicates that things will turn out smoothly and clearly when she understands what she is dealing with.
	King of Swords Even though the King looks like a very stern individual, he is mostly dressed in blue and has a similar color blue in the background sky. There are things going on behind his back as well with the brewing clouds seeming to dissipate and clear. The black trees on both sides of him indicates that balance should be a priority in deciding issues. He has the capacity to be a gentle, kind and honorable man. He is fair, just and optimistic in all of his decisions, however, if he has to fight, he will not hesitate to take control over any situation. He is seated on a solid throne of cement and is very determined in his goals and objectives. His purple-like robe indicates his purification and spirituality; his red and yellow head gear indicate his intelligence and desire to get things done in an orderly and logical manner. His feet are on the abundant green earth scattered with beige and yellow throughout. It is an uneven ground indicating that his abundance, intelligence and groundedness may waiver at times, but his conviction is pure and clear and will be followed in a very direct manner.